| August 28, 2009 Burnaby receives $13,000 to Support Local Torch Relay Events BURNABY – The Burnaby Spirit of B.C. Community Committee will receive $13,000 through the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Community Grants Program. The grant will help support numerous events in Burnaby on the day the Olympic Torch passes through town on February 11, 2010. “The torch relay events allow everyone to experience the spirit of the 2010 Olympic Games,” says Burnaby-Lougheed MLA Harry Bloy. “It also gives them the chance to enjoy some of the great performers we have here in Burnaby who reflect our incredible diversity. SFU’s world champion pipers, a Chinese Lion Dance and an Indo-Canadian khatak group are just some of the entertainment on offer.” “It is going to be a fantastic time for all cultures in our community to get together and celebrate,” says Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee. “No matter where we each come from originally, Burnaby is our home and soon hundreds of millions of people from all over the world will see what a great place it is, through the print media, radio, TV and various channels over the Internet. I’m looking forward to this celebration.” Community events in the Burnaby area include: • The arrival of the Olympic Torch. • Traditional and contemporary entertainment by local musicians. • Concerts from the SFU Champion Pipers and community choir. • Celebrations featuring Aboriginal dancers, a Chinese Lion Dance, and Indo Canadian dancing. Provincial funding, through the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Community Grants Program, will be used to support approved cultural celebrations and performances featuring local and regional talent in three categories throughout B.C.: • Celebration Communities: There are 50 Celebration Communities. Celebrations will be held in two communities each day – the first at mid-day, and the second in the evening. • Route Communities: There are 218 Route Communities/Places of Interest. The flame will pass through these communities along the relay route but will not stop for a formal celebration. • Aboriginal Communities: Of the 218 Route Communities, 50 are Aboriginal Communities. The flame will stop in each Aboriginal Community for a gathering known as the Honorary Elder Fire Keeper Program. This will allow for each Aboriginal Community to host a welcome/ blessing ceremony for the torch. The 2010 Olympic Flame will be lit on Oct. 22, 2009 and handed over to a representative of Canada in Athens, Greece on Oct. 29 before making its trans-Atlantic flight. The flame will visit every province and territory in the country and will be carried by approximately 12,000 torchbearers. For a map of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay Route and a list of Celebration, Route or Aboriginal Communities, please visit: www.vancouver2010.com. For more information on the Olympic Torch Relay Community Grant Program, please contact communities2010@gov.bc.ca. -30- | |
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